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2/24/11

Writing, Writing, Movies

I have a writing question for the general audience...

I read a series of books and was kinda really into it. So I took the atmosphere of the books and pseudo location and pseudo characters and wrote long story. None of the characters/events/plots/locations are the same, but I think if someone read the same series I did and then read my work, they'd see the similarities. Does that make this story fanfiction and thus unpublishable (assuming I'd want to go that route)? My only concern is because the original series is kind of unique (I haven't read anything like it before), that my story will appear as a huge copycat. I suppose one answer to my question is that because I'm questioning it at all shows that I shouldn't try to publish at all. But I'd be glad to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Update on CL: The end of February was supposed to be finished editing so March could be trolling for publishers. Well, 1/3 of beta readers got back to me and the one who did said she didn't buy the second half of the story and thus stopped halfway (she was also involved in moving, but would have stopped anyway). This was a concern of mine before, and she just confirmed it...but I also wonder if it could pass as a genre thing. I'm not sure how much experience she has in the genre, plus it could just be a personal preference.

The long and short of it is that I think the story has to go back into major rewrites...and I'm not sure how I feel about the ending anymore either. I'd still love for my other betas to get back to me, but I'm not holding my breath (February is a short month and I know they've both been busy with family plans and a new job). Though I'd love to hear if my writing was bearable to read or not.

So my original deadline is going to have to be scrapped. I don't count this as missing deadline because I didn't miss it due to procrastination, but due to the realization that I need major revisions. I'm going to take some time to consider where I want to head with it and then create a new plan. If I don't see any solutions that make me happy, I may just send it off as is and see what publishers have to say.

ETA: I heard back from another reviewer who needs a few extra days. I'll be looking at his commentary before moving forward to see how it fits in with what this other person said.

I created a tumblr account for creative inspiration. Every day I post a picture, a quote, a first line, or a concept on which to write a story. Plus there is a "random" option, so you can use it whenever! Feel free to check it out.

For those who follow me on Facebook, you may have seen that I finally caved and got a Netflix account. I'm currently on the 1-month-free trial, and I'm enjoying it. I'm actually considering cancelling my Comcast, since I don't really watch TV except for Big Bang Theory. But then I consider all the hassle that is and maybe I should just keep both. But that feels wasteful. Anyways, the point is I get to watch more movies! So on Between the Covers I'll add some bunches of movie reviews. (And yes, they'll probably have a queer focus.)

Although I do not have experience in the genre, I don't have any particular prejudice towards it. I would prefer f/f, but that's just me. (^_^) Perhaps I felt a bit betrayed because I liked the main couple's relationship so much.

"Writers should not be writing in the hope of pleasing some imaginary audience. First and foremost, you write to please yourself, then you try to find the right publisher for the kind of thing you write, and then you promote in the hope of finding enough readers who share your same love of stories." — Josh Lanyon